STRIKE PARTNERSHIP ON CARDS FOR LA GALAXY
There are very few single words that provoke immediate reaction, the majority are linked to tragedy or passion. One of those single words is Zlatan and any MLS fan must have been living under a rock not to hear that the Swedish master has arrived in Los Angeles. MLSFootball covered this news story over the weekend and Rundown is happy to follow on behind with the thought that many hardcore fans have had… what happens to Ola Kamara?
If Kamara wanted to remind Sigi Schmid and the LA Galaxy supporters of his ability, a hat-trick in Norway’s international victory over Australia came at the perfect time. The Norwegian striker is prolific, averaging better than a goal every two games as he has 36 goals in 67 appearances for MLS sides Columbus Crew and the Galaxy. Kamara should be confident in his ability, even though Schmid is unsure of the future for his two attacking threats.
“We’re going to have to try and figure that out,” Schmid told reporters. “I didn’t want to think about that a whole lot [before Vancouver]. I wanted to make sure we had this game plan right. I’ll probably throw some lineups or different formations on the board and see what I think works and what makes sense.
“But Ola’s an important player to our team, because of his ability to score goals and because of his ability to stretch the defense. At times Zlatan’s played very well with that kind of a player. I’m sure we can establish a connection and a combination there.”
Some may point to Zlatan’s role as back up to Romelu Lukaku and wonder if Ola Kamara is destined to serve as the Zlatan to Lukaku’s Ibrahimovic but Rundown can’t help but look a little further back into the past to see the model being Zlatan’s partnership with Edinson Cavani at PSG. Their efforts were based on Cavani starting out on the flank with instructions to cut inside when Zlatan picked up the ball in deep positions, then to remain central when Zlatan stayed deep.
FORMER RED BULL TO USE WINGS BACK TO NEW YORK?
The suggestion from journalist Kristian Dyer is that Manchester United’s Matthew Olosunde could be on his way back to the New York Red Bulls.
Formerly of the Red Bull’s academy, Olosunde has been featuring for United’s Under-23 squad and his progress has been tracked as part of our very own MLS Alumni Abroad report.
Both Dyer and fellow journalist Matt Doyle agree that a loan move could be on the cards.
RED CARD RESCINDED
Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Kendall Waston has had his red card for violent conduct rescinded by the Independent Panel. Waston saw red only 13 minutes into Whitecaps’ fixture with Atlanta United on March 17th.
The Independent Panel consists of one representative each from the United States Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association, and the Professional Referee Organization, in this case, they came to a unanimous decision.
Waston is now available to play in Vancouver Whitecaps’ next match, which is against Columbus Crew. Each club is entitled to two unsuccessful appeals per season, including playoffs. Since Vancouver’s appeal was successful, the team maintains two unsuccessful appeals for any future dismissals in the 2018 season.
TRANSFER UPDATE
Spanish winger Diego Capel looks to be a likely addition for Seattle Sounders, as he was spotted at a Sounders training session wearing No.10 gear. A spokesperson for Sounders confirmed to the chaps over at MLSsoccer.com that Capel is indeed training with the first team.
INJURY TO RING
Any international break must be a worrying time for football managers, cheerily waving goodbye to their star talents while cursing from behind gritted teeth that somebody had the temerity to call up their boy wonder. They can only hope the prized assets are returned in the same shape as they left, sans an impressive tan and a week on the sauce.
Sadly Patrick Vieira will be the counting the cost of international duty as Alex Ring sustained an MCL sprain and subluxation of his patella to his right knee on duty with Finland, although with 107 caps to his name Vieira should be aware of the pitfalls more than most. Ring was left out of Finland’s scoreless draw with Macedonia over the weekend and is expected to return to action in four weeks.
Thank you for reading the MLS Rundown, a twice-weekly column focused on news, rumours and transfers. If you would like to connect with the writer, please do so on twitter @CT_MLS
